2025 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery, London

Asymmetry is excited to announce the international Open Call for the 2025 Curatorial Research Fellowship at Chisenhale Gallery, London. This 18-month position is aimed at early-career curators who seek to advance their curatorial practice by supporting the gallery’s internationally renowned commissions programme and its newly established publishing initiative, Chisenhale Books. The Fellowship offers an opportunity to contribute to various editorial, communications, and social media outputs while critically exploring the connections between the gallery, commissioned artists, and audiences in line with the organisation’s mission, vision, and values.

The Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellowship represents the next stage in the partnership between Asymmetry and Chisenhale Gallery, which has previously seen the successful completion of two Curatorial Writing Fellows and one Curatorial Research Fellow. The 2025 Fellowship builds on past experiences, incorporating feedback from previous Fellows, and addresses the pressing need for professional development opportunities that go beyond traditional exhibition-making, communication, and publishing practices.

The Fellowship will provide valuable training, skills, and experience within the context of a non-profit gallery known for its experimental and innovative approach. It offers hands-on experience in exhibition organisation, artist liaison, project research, production support, publishing, and public programming. The Fellow will also have the chance to engage with the gallery’s extensive exhibitions archive, contributing to its future archival practices. Furthermore, the Curatorial Research Fellow will collaborate with the wider curatorial team to contribute research and ideas to the gallery’s programme, support events, and contribute to the creation of artists’ books and other publishing outputs. The position is particularly aimed at curators who identify to any extent with Chinese and Sinophone cultures and identities, whether based in the regions or internationally.

For Fellows based outside of London, there is a collaboration with the London-based non-profit Delfina Foundation to offer a place in their renowned residency programme. The Fellow will benefit from additional professional development opportunities, mentoring, and peer-to-peer exchanges with other practitioners, as well as two months of accommodation at the Delfina house in central London.

ABOUT THE CURATORIAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

The 2025 Asymmetry Curatorial Research Fellow will work closely with Chisenhale’s curatorial team, who are committed to pastoral care and supportive professional development. Managed by Chisenhale’s Curator, the Fellow will work directly on the development of commissions, events and publications with artists. Previous projects included Lotus L. Kang, Benoît Piéron, Alia Farid, Joshua Leon, Rory Pilgrim and Simnikiwe Buhlungu. The Fellow will also engage in critical conversation, close reading and rigorous thought, alongside the development of invaluable practical skills. Opportunities for studio visits and critical discourse will be facilitated via Chisenhale’s extensive creative peer network.

The Fellow will be given the opportunity to research and develop aspects of public-facing programming over which they will have responsibility for implementation. Throughout the placement, mentoring and assistance from senior staff will allow the Fellow to develop and refine their skills and establish their own curatorial ambitions. The placement is designed to instil agency, to allow the realisation of new curatorial achievements, to enable, formulate and expand on new ideas and growth in their profession.

Asymmetry will provide additional mentoring and resources to further the Fellow’s independent curatorial research. For one day a week over six months, the Fellow will receive additional support to collaborate with Asymmetry’s curatorial network and develop an independent public programme or research project.

ABOUT CHISENHALE GALLERY

Chisenhale Gallery was founded by artists. The same experimental vision and spirit of possibility that changed an empty veneer factory and brewery warehouse into an art gallery guides the gallery’s work today. Chisenhale Gallery commissions and produces contemporary art, supporting international and UK-based artists to make their most ambitious work to date by pursuing new directions in their practices. The gallery is committed to its audiences having access to the energy and ideas of an ever-expanding artist community. Chisenhale Gallery has an award winning, 38-year history as one of London’s most innovative forums for art production and presentation. With a reputation for identifying new artistic talent, Chisenhale Gallery believes in making cultural impact through working with artists. The gallery develops ideas with artists over a one- to two-year incubation period, from concept to completion. Located in a dynamic and creative residential neighbourhood in the heart of London’s East End, where many cultures converge, Chisenhale Gallery is an evolving space for experimentation, transformed by each artist’s commission.

ABOUT DELFINA FOUNDATION

Founded in 2007, Delfina Foundation hosts artists and creative practitioners from around the world in its home in central London: providing essential space and support for experimentation, research, and development; facilitating vital networks and dialogue across the art world and society; presenting new artists, art, and ideas to local and global audiences; and nurturing long-standing global communities of artists and creative practitioners.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
3 NOVEMBER 2024

FELLOWSHIP DURATION:
31 MARCH 2025 – 25 SEPTEMBER 2026

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Curator-in-Residence at The Fitzrovia Chapel